Top 10 Restaurants In Woodland, California

Looking for a laid-back night out in Woodland? The Burger Saloon is comfortable and pub-like, while still being welcoming and family-friendly. As the name states, its specialty is burgers. Try one of over 20 unique house specialties, or choose from a variety of toppings and build your own. For something a little out of the ordinary, try the Sophisticate with roasted garlic, brie, and oven-roasted tomatoes, or the PB&J with peanut butter, bacon, and fried jalapenos. If burgers aren’t your cup of tea, The Burger Saloon offers lighter fare like creative salads and soups. Wash it all down with house-made lemonade or a root beer float for a true-blue American meal.

Though it’s a bit out of the way from downtown Woodland, The Elephant Shack is worth the jaunt. It is a local favorite for breakfast and lunch. The exterior of the little restaurant invites you in with a giant, friendly looking painted elephant. The vibrant colors continue on the inside, making for a fun and uplifting environment. The dining room is small but sufficient, and staff is always happy to see you. Wake up to classics like country fried steak or a Belgian waffle and eggs for breakfast, or visit later in the day for lunch. Build your own sandwich with a huge list of toppings, or try a house favorite: the cheesy bacon hot dog.

Get a taste of the Far East at Jinju Sushi. The restaurant could be easily missed, as it is housed in a strip mall next to a bank, but don’t let this little sushi gem pass you by. Jinju is open for lunch and dinner and serves the freshest sushi in the area. The menu features Japanese standards, along with creative house specialties. Each dish is masterfully prepared and a feast for the eyes and for the palate. Jinju’s best-selling rolls include the Pioneer, the Woodland, and the Lobster roll. Beyond the hand-rolled sushi, Jinju serves excellent small plates like gyoza, tempura, and Korean BBQ ribs.

Kitchen428 is an absolute treasure in Woodland’s dining scene. The restaurant is housed in a historic building that has been a part of the city’s downtown landscape for over a hundred years. Though it has seen a host of different residents and renovations, the building has retained its charm. The interior features exposed brick walls, tiled ceilings, and tasteful antique décor. Kitchen428 is both an upscale dining spot and a hopping lounge and bar. The atmosphere is almost reminiscent of a classy New Orleans restaurant. The menu features farm-to-table entrées with fresh flavors and no guilt. On Saturdays and Sundays, it’s a great place for brunch and fruity mimosas.

For a true western experience, look no further than Ludy’s Main Street BBQ. For over 20 years, the restaurant has been serving up a heaping dose of homemade, rugged goodness; there isn’t a better place in town for barbecue. Ludy’s slow-cooks, smokes, and hand-makes everything that is served. The restaurant is especially famous for its smoked, barbecued meats. Pork ribs, chicken, beef, and sausages come straight from the smokehouse to hungry customers. And of course those meats are best when paired with the restaurant’s own sweet and zesty BBQ sauce. Round out your plate with a side of cowboy beans or cornbread, and you’ll have an unforgettable meal.

California certainly has its fair share of great Mexican food. Maria’s Cantina is one of the best in Woodland, a step above already high expectations. The owners and chefs strive to provide excellent classic Mexican fare while staying fresh and innovative. With clean lines and warm tones, the interior has a rustic-chic vibe. Spice up your mid-week by visiting Maria’s for Taco Tuesday, or keep the weekend party going with the nacho bar on Sunday nights. Whenever you visit, you’re sure to be treated with warm hospitality and a kick of flavor.

Tacos El Paisano is a double-threat in Woodland, serving street-style tacos from both a brick and mortar store and a taco truck. The food truck has gained wide popularity in the area over the past five years. Of course, the mobile eatery’s most popular menu items are the authentic tacos. The storefront location offers those same tasty tacos and a much larger menu to go along with it. Perhaps it’s the hipster vibe that accompanies the food truck trend these days, or maybe just an appreciation for something out of the norm, many regulars still feel that Tacos El Paisano on wheels is superior to its counterpart. Either way, you can count on a great meal that won’t break the bank.

Have you experienced the pupusa craze yet? These little delights are originally from El Salvador and other Latin American countries and consist of thick corn tortillas filled with a variety of interesting ingredients. At Pupuseria La Chicana, guests can choose from fillings of cheese, meats, vegetables, or squash. The disc-shaped pupusas are always served with pickled vegetables, kind of like American coleslaw. If you are craving something else entirely, you’ll find other options like carne asada plates, tacos, and fajitas. Most everyone already loves Mexican and Latino food, and this is a perfect place to join the pupusa trend and try something a little out of the ordinary. Traditional menudo | ○ Krista/Flickr

The folks at Quetzal are serious about having a good time and behind its lightheartedness and fun, this restaurant may just be the most authentic in town. The menu consists of some Mexican classics that Americans would expect, but it also stays true to lesser-known dishes that will ring true to Mexican natives. Have you ever tried pozole or gorditas? How about menudo, the unique soup of tripe and a broth steeped in red chili peppers? The bold flavors at Quetzal are sure to cure any hankering for south-of-the-border fare.

As you can see, Woodland isn’t lacking in paces to find Mexican fare, but Taqueria Guadalajara stands out. The family run restaurant has been in business for nearly 25 years, beginning as the dream of three industrious brothers. The setting is uncomplicated and simple, but it gives Taqueria Guadalajara a character that is comfortable and unpretentious. The food is always on-point, and the service is never less than fantastic. In addition to crowd-pleasing, authentic food, Taqueria Guadalajara gets customers coming back again and again for its chip bar. With any purchase, guests can nosh on an unlimited buffet of fresh, house-made chips, salsas, and toppings.